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Business fights for compulsory military service: focus on women and migrants!
The article highlights the current debate about the reintroduction of compulsory military service in Germany, which is being called for by leading economic experts in order to combat the shortage of skilled workers and secure defense capability. The advantages and challenges, especially for women and migrants, are also discussed.
Business fights for compulsory military service: focus on women and migrants!
The discussion about reintroducing compulsory military service in Germany has become more intense, especially given the shortage of skilled workers, which is considered one of the biggest problems for German companies. Leaders from various sectors are increasingly supporting the idea as a way to ensure both peace and freedom amid geopolitical tensions, particularly with Russia. Oliver Zander, head of the employers' association Gesamtmetall, emphasizes that the Bundeswehr cannot only rely on volunteers in order to increase the number of troops from 180,000 to 260,000 soldiers and also to ensure the defense capability in an emergency to over 400,000 soldiers. Picture reports that Zander emphasizes the need to put economic interests ahead of the demands of conscription.
Another argument from Zander is that conscription is economically more beneficial in the long term than military conflicts. Christoph Ahlhaus, head of medium-sized businesses, also supports this initiative and states that the economy benefits from young conscripts who are trained by the Bundeswehr and then work in the civilian sector. Zander is also calling for a constitutional change that would also allow women to serve. Another aspect of his demand includes the commitment of migrants who have acquired German citizenship to their new homeland through military and alternative service.
Political perspectives and alternatives
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who supports a model similar to the Swedish system, has also spoken out in the current debates. In Sweden, every young person - both women and men - is drafted, with only a proportion actually doing basic military service. However, this method, which has been in force again since 2018, also requires political majorities to be implemented in Germany. the reservist association points out that Eva Högl, the Armed Forces Commissioner of the German Bundestag, is against traditional conscription, but is open to alternative models.
Patrick Sensburg also makes a significant point about the fact that Germany would not be able to maintain its defense capability without compulsory military service. He criticizes the Bundeswehr's target strength of 203,000 soldiers as inadequate and is committed to a comprehensive discussion about logistics and support. Professor Dr. Carlo Masala emphasizes that there is a personnel problem within the Bundeswehr and that an effective debate about conscription is essential. He also suggests designing incentives for service to make them more attractive to young people.
The Bundestag member Robin Wagener, on the other hand, speaks out against the reintroduction of compulsory military service because he is convinced that it cannot solve the existing personnel problem. Masala appeals to society to develop awareness of the need for defense. Patrick Sensburg reiterates the importance of defending the values of freedom and prosperity, while Captain Jonas Hård af Segerstad, defense attaché at the Swedish Embassy, suggests examining the challenges of reactivating conscription.